The Martin Luther King Holiday in 2025 is the 39^th anniversary of his birthday being a holiday. Ironically, when he was assassinated, he was 39 years old. The direction of the Civil Rights Movement was in transition since The Civil Rights Act of 1964. The first step was set, defining the why and what needed to happen, but realizing equality is still a moving target. A pivotal event in the labor movement for Black Americans happened in 1968. Over 1,000 Black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee went on strike for the right to form a union. This strike was about more than earning equal pay as their White counterparts, this strike was also about dignity, and manhood. Bill Lucy, a high ranking Black official from the AFSCME unions is credited with coining the slogan “I Am a Man” which was adopted by the strikers. The slogan, "I Am a Man '' represented a distinctly gendered dispute over what it meant to be a man. This strike gained national attention resulting in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr being invited to speak at a rally in support of these Black men. The famous “Mountain Top” speech would be his last, Dr. King was assassinated the next day. Dr. King’s last message and final public words were in support of organized labor and how it was important for the quality of life for Black Americans. The Civil Rights Movement and the Labor Movement are aligned, Dr. King knew this, and the fight remains, the job is not done!

29ers,

As many of you are aware, devastating fires have impacted the Los Angeles area, leaving families, homes, and communities in need of urgent support. We are reaching out to ask for your help in providing relief to those affected.  Click on the link below to view the numerous resources and relief fund to donates and/or share this information.

Every bit helps, whether it's a donation, your time, or spreading the word. Your generosity can make a huge difference in the lives of those struggling through this crisis.

Fellow Californians thank you for your support during this difficult time. Together, we can rebuild and bring hope to our community.

With gratitude,

OPEIU 29

Los Angeles Wildfire Resources and Relief Funds - California Federation of Labor Unions

Happy New Year 29ers,

Please join the Officers and Representative Staff of OPEIU 29 along with your Union sisters and brothers for our FIRST General Membership Meeting of 2025. Attending General Membership meetings is a great way to stay informed on current OPEIU 29 affairs and matters that affect you. Members can also join OPEIU 29 committees such as SERJ and get involved in the community.

All OPEIU 29 members attending the meeting must be in good standing and are required to register prior to the meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, to be eligible to participate in the General Membership Meeting.

If you are not sure of your membership status, please contact the dues department at 510-746-5961 or 510-746-5962 to check on your dues/membership status before the meeting. Or you may also log into our membership database and check on your dues status by logging in to: https://opeiu29.unionimpact.com (you will be prompted to create an account, if you are not yet registered).

General Membership Meeting: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 6:30 pm at The Teamsters 2010 Hall 7750 Pardee Ln, Oakland, CA 94621 

You must register for the meeting by clicking or copying and pasting the link below no later than Monday, January 13, 2025 by 4:00 pm. You can also go to our website at www.opeiu29.org to register. Please remember to register with your PERSONAL email address, as no work email addresses will be approved.

Registration Link: https://form.jotform.com/250055605476153

Indigenous Peoples’ Day will be recognized on Monday, October 14, 2024, to honor the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples and their ancestors who lived on the land now known as North America. Indigenous peoples existed in these areas for thousands of years before the first European explorers arrived. This day is set aside to promote awareness of their resilience, struggles, and unique traditions, fostering understanding and unity among diverse cultures. We encourage members to educate themselves by clicking on the link below and entering your city and state to discover the names of indigenous peoples who previously lived on the territory where you now reside.

• Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land
• https://www.history.com/news/native-american-inventions